Compact radio frequency antenna apparatuses

ABSTRACT

Antenna assemblies are described herein. In particular, described herein are multi-focal-point antenna devices and compact radio frequency (RF) antenna devices. Any of these assemblies may include a primary feed that includes a single patterned emitting surface from which multiple different beams of RF signals are emitted corresponding to different antenna input feeds each communicating with the patterned antenna emitting surface. The antenna assembly is therefore capable of emitting beams in the same direction having different polarizations using a single primary feed. Also described herein are compact RF antenna devices having a lightpipe that passes through the single patterned emitting surface.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This patent application claims priority to each of the following U.S.provisional patent applications: U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.61/973,750, filed Apr. 1, 2014, titled “ANTENNA ASSEMBLY;” U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 61/978,755, filed Apr. 11, 2014,titled “ANTENNA ASSEMBLY;” and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.62/073,833, filed Oct. 31, 2014, titled “MULTI-FOCAL POINT ANTENNAASSEMBLIES.” Each of these provisional patent applications is hereinincorporated by reference in its entirety.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

All publications and patent applications mentioned in this specificationare herein incorporated by reference in their entirety to the sameextent as if each individual publication or patent application wasspecifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference.

FIELD

Described herein are wireless radio and antenna apparatuses and methodsthat may form part of a broadband wireless system. The apparatus may beused for accessing the internet, even in relatively remote regions, andin particular may operate as multiple-input, multiple-output (MIMO)antennas having a single emitter which is capable of directing multiple(e.g., three or more) beams therefrom. The wireless transmissionstations described herein may be configured for indoor, outdoor, orindoor and outdoor use.

BACKGROUND

There is an increasing demand for radio frequency (RF) communicationsystems to provide high-speed data transmissions in a reliable manner.In order to enable high-speed data transmission over a wireless channel,which uses limited bandwidth and power, it may be important to increasecapacity. The reliability of reception signals may be greatly degradedby fading, shadowing, wave attenuation, interference, etc. An antennathat is capable of multiple input/multiple output (MIMO) operation,without requiring a number of separate antennas and/or separate antennaemitters, that could be reliably and inexpensively manufactured andprovide reliable operation may address these problems and providenumerous other advantages.

Typically, MIMO antenna technology uses a spatial multiplexing techniquefor transmitting data at high speeds without further increasing thesystem's bandwidth, by using multiple antennas at the transmitter orreceiver to transmit different data simultaneously. However, the use ofmultiple antennas may be expensive in both actual cost and in thefootprint and size of the arrangement. Thus, it would be particularlybeneficial to provide an antenna that may operate in a MIMOconfiguration, and particularly in an i×p arrangement (where i is apositive integer greater than 3, and p is some integer greater than 2),allowing operation with multiple streams of RF data from a singlecompact antenna, and particularly an antenna having a single emitter.

To date, most MIMO antennas have an arrayed antenna structure that usesmultiple radiators (emitters), and since a multiple number of radiatorsare used, there can be interference occurring between the radiators.Such interference can distort the radiating pattern or create a mutualcoupling effect among the radiators. In order to minimize interferencebetween radiators, a MIMO antenna may use an isolation element, i.e. aseparate feature, or may use a structure in which the radiators arewidely separated from one another. In these cases, providing the desiredisolation basically involves providing a sufficient distance between twoantennas, even in cases where a separate isolation element is used.However, since the demand for smaller terminals is an ongoingrequirement, and since providing a sufficient distance between multipleantennas not only is very difficult but also runs contrary to providingsmaller terminal sizes, there is a need for an isolation technique thatcan be applied for multiple antennas that are positioned relativelyclosely to one another.

Households and businesses in areas without wired connections (e.g., inregions that cannot be reached via conventional communication media,such as optical cables, copper cables, and/or other fixed wire-basedtechnologies) may rely on fixed wireless services for some of theseservices (e.g., broadband access). Fixed wireless services can be mademore attractive to customers by effectively leverage existing customerpremises equipment (CPE).

There is a growing need to develop systems to deliver broadband toremote and under-served regions, for which traditional broadband (e.g.,wired or cabled delivery) is not available or possible. Delivering highperformance networking in underserved and underpenetrated regions ischallenging because of the lack of durable and powerful systems,including antenna-based systems, capable of operating with sufficientflexibility to provide point-to-point as well as point-to-multipointcommunication between client stations (e.g., home or business locations)and an internet service provider, including wireless internet serviceproviders.

To keep the costs of these devices down, so that they may be provided toeven underserved communities at a reasonable price, the antennas areproduced to be reliable, easy to manufacture, and easy to use. Inaddition, these antennas have a sufficiently large bandwidth in anappropriate band. Further, the devices are compact, yet have minimalline radiation and other sources of noise.

The systems may include user-friendly devices including amplifying,broadband radios/antenna that are robust (including for use in outdoorregions), and easy to install and use. Described herein are antennasthat may be used for MIMO operation that may resolve the problemsdescribed above and provide an antenna having a single emitter adaptedto emit three or more independent beams using a patterned antennaradiating emitter. These antennas may therefore also be referred to asmulti-focal-point antennas. As described in greater detail below, theantennas described herein can provide isolation of the three or morebeams even using a single (relatively small) emitter.

The devices described herein may also be of particular use to deliverbroadband data services to remote and under-served regions, for whichtraditional broadband (e.g., wired or cabled delivery) is not availableor possible. Delivering high performance networking in underserved andunderpenetrated regions is challenging because of the lack of durableand powerful systems, including antenna-based systems, capable ofoperating with sufficient flexibility to provide point-to-point as wellas point-to-multipoint communication between client stations (e.g., homeor business locations) and an internet service provider, includingwireless internet service providers. In addition, the systems describedherein may also be of particular use when delivering information incongested urban areas, which may otherwise provide numerous barriers totransmission. Thus, described herein are apparatuses (e.g., devices andsystems) and methods of operating them that may address the issue raisedabove.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

Described herein are antenna assemblies that may be configured aswireless transmission stations, such as wireless broadband accessdevices. These antenna assemblies may include a primary feed with asingle emitting/receiving plate (e.g., patterned antenna radiatingemitter) that this adapted to transmit and receive electromagneticenergy in three or more independent beams. The emitting/receiving platemay be referred to herein as an emitter, or a patterned antennaradiating emitter, or the like. The patterned antenna radiating emitteris configured so that a plurality of three or more independent (andisolated from each other) input feeds connect to the patterned antennaradiating emitter.

Any of the antenna assemblies described herein may also be configured toinclude dual antenna reflectors for transmission of the multiple beamsin the same direction (e.g., from the same pair of dual reflectors). Theemitted RF signals, which may be referred to as beams, are emitted fromthe primary feed, and may include a plurality (2 or more, e.g., 3, 4, 5,etc.) of beams that are differently polarized. For example, the beamsmay be rotated versions of each other, including orthogonal beams. Thesame primary feed, including a single emitting surface may be used toemit all of the differently polarized beams. Each differently polarizedbeam is emitted from a different portion of the patterned antennaemitting surface of the primary feed, so that the differently polarizedbeams are directed to the secondary reflector, which is positionedopposite from the patterned antenna emitting surface of the primary feedand reflects the emitted beams towards the primary reflector that isoriented to direct the beams outward, away from the patterned antennaemitting surface of the primary feed. Each differently polarized beammay be reflected from a different sub-region of the secondary reflectorand then from a sub-region of the primary reflector. The secondaryreflector may be a generally convex reflector that directs theelectromagnetic energy (beam) towards the primary reflector. The primaryreflector may be a generally concave reflector that directs theelectromagnetic energy. For example, the secondary reflector may bewithin a concavity formed in the parabolic primary reflector. Invariations including dual reflectors, the differently polarized beamsmay be emitted in the same direction from the primary reflector, and thephase front of all of the beams may be uniform. Any of these apparatusesmay include a shaped radome over the primary (and secondary) reflectorto help tune (e.g., by lensing through the radome) the phase front ofthe RF energy transmitted through the radome. In some variations a pairof radomes may be used, including one that is curved to act as a lens tomake the phase front of emitted RF signals more uniform. RF signals(beams) may be received by the apparatus in a similar way, e.g.,reflected by the primary reflector to the second reflector and onto thepatterned antenna emitting surface of the primary feed.

The antenna assemblies and methods described herein, including devicesand systems, may be wireless broadband access devices that areconfigurable as a point-to-point or point-to-multipoint stations.

Any of the antenna assemblies described herein may include radiocircuitry for generating and/or receiving RF signals of differentpolarizations (e.g., n different polarizations, where n is greater than2, greater than 3, etc.). The radio (e.g., control) circuitry may beconfigured to control transmission and receipt of broadband informationto and from the antenna.

For example, described herein are multi-focal-point antenna devicehaving a single emitter adapted to emit three or more independent beams.Such devices may include: a patterned antenna radiating emitter, whereinthe patterned antenna radiating emitter comprises a sheet of metalhaving a plurality of cut-out regions along one or more edges of thepatterned antenna radiating emitter; n antenna input feeds, where n is 3or more, separately extending to the patterned antenna radiatingemitter, wherein each of the n antenna input feeds are independent andelectrically isolated from each other; and a radio circuitry coupled toeach of the n antenna input feeds, wherein the radio circuitry isconfigured to transmit radio frequency (RF) signals so that each of then antenna input feeds transmits at a different polarization, wherein thepatterned antenna radiating emitter emits n beams in which each of the nbeams is differently polarized, and wherein the beams do not couple witheach other.

In operation, each of the n beams may act as a separate “antenna” forMIMO, as each beam will have a different path between the transmitterand receiver. Thus, a single antenna capable of producing multipleantenna beams from a single emitter element, as described herein, may beused in a MIMO configuration.

Any of the devices described herein may include a primary reflector thatseparately reflects each of the beams. For example, the reflector mayhave n wedge-shaped surface regions, each of the n surface regionsreflecting one or the n emitted beams. The apparatus may also include asecondary reflector having n wedge-shaped surface regions, each of the nsurface regions may reflect one of the n emitted beams to one of the nsurface regions of the primary reflector.

In some variations, n is 3. The resulting beams may be 120 degrees offfrom each other (e.g., equally spaced), or in some variations spaceddifferently relative to each other (e.g., two and 90 degrees apart fromeach other and 180 degrees apart from the third, etc.). In somevariations, n is four, and the beams are, e.g., 90 degrees from eachother. In general, n may be any integer greater than 3 (e.g., 3, 4, 5,6, 7, 8, 9, 10, etc.).

In general, the shape of the patterned antenna radiating emitter may beany appropriate shape. The shape is generally planar in a centralregion, with edge regions folded downward. The patterned antenna regionmay include cut-out regions at the edges and/or in the central (planar)region. In some variations the patterned antenna radiating emitter has agenerally triangular, rectangular, hexagonal, circular, etc. shape. Forexample, the shape of the patterned antenna radiating emitter may begenerally triangular shape. As mentioned, the central region (betweenthe bent edges) may be flat or substantially flat.

For example, a patterned antenna radiating emitter may comprise a flatcentral surface with one or more edges folded down away from a centralplane of the patterned antenna radiating emitter. The n antenna inputfeeds may be directly coupled to n edge regions of the patterned antennaradiating emitter. The patterned antenna radiating emitter may be formedof a single sheet of metal.

In some variations the patterned antenna radiating emitter includes acut-out region (e.g., hole, opening, passage, etc.) through which astructure may pass, such as a lightpipe, LED, or the like. The cut-outregion may be in the center of the patterned antenna radiating emitter.For example, a patterned antenna radiating emitter may include a centralopening for passing a light port. Thus, in general, the apparatus mayinclude a lightpipe passing through the patterned antenna radiatingemitter.

In some variations the apparatus, and the patterned antenna radiatingemitter in particular, is adapted (e.g., the patterned antenna radiatingemitter is sized) to operate in both a 5 GHz and a 2 GHz regime. Forexample, the patterned antenna radiating emitter may have an emittingsurface having an average diameter of between about 5 cm and 12 cm.Because the emitting surface (e.g., the flat/planar central surface) maybe irregularly shaped, including non-circular, triangular, orasymmetrically shaped, the diameter may refer to the maximum or averagediameter.

In general, the radio circuitry may be configured to transmit radiofrequency (RF) signals so that each of the n antenna input feedstransmits at a different polarization, spectral signal and/or delay.

Thus, described herein are multi-focal-point antenna devices having asingle emitter adapted to emit three or more independent beams that maybe used as a multiple input, multiple output (MIMO) antenna. Forexample, such a device may include: a base plate; a unitary patternedantenna radiating emitter positioned above the base plate, wherein thepatterned antenna radiating emitter comprises a single sheet of metalhaving a plurality of cut-out regions along one or more outer edges ofthe patterned antenna radiating emitter; n antenna input feeds, where nis 3 or more, extending through the base plate to the patterned antennaradiating emitter, wherein each of the n antenna input feeds areindependent and electrically isolated from each other; and a radiocircuitry coupled to each of the n antenna input feeds, wherein theradio circuitry is configured to transmit radio frequency (RF) signalsso that each of the n antenna input feeds transmits at a differentpolarization, spectral signal and/or delay, wherein the patternedantenna radiating emitter emits n independent and uncoupled beams.

The base plate may be configured as a ground plate in any of thevariations described herein.

In one example, the antenna devices described herein include a triplefocal-point antenna device having a single emitter adapted to emit threeindependent beams, the device comprising: a patterned antenna radiatingemitter, wherein the patterned antenna radiating emitter comprises asheet of metal having a plurality of cut-out regions along one or moreouter edges; three antenna input feeds each separately extending to thepatterned antenna radiating emitter, wherein each of the three antennainput feeds are independent and electrically isolated from each other;and a radio circuitry coupled to each of the three antenna input feeds,wherein the radio circuitry is configured to transmit radio frequency(RF) signals so that each of the three antenna input feeds transmits ata different polarization, wherein the patterned antenna radiatingemitter emits three independent and uncoupled beams. As mentioned above,the patterned antenna radiating emitter may generally have a triangularshape, and may be flat (at least in the central region; the edges may befolded downward). The antenna input feeds may be connected to a portionof the folded-down edge. As mentioned, the patterned antenna radiatingemitter may include a central opening for passing a light port, and alightpipe may pass through the patterned antenna radiating emitter.

For example, the three antenna input feeds may be directly coupled tothree edge regions of the patterned antenna radiating emitter. Thepatterned antenna radiating emitter may be formed of a single sheet ofmetal. The patterned antenna radiating emitter may be sized to operatein both a 5 GHz and a 2 GHz regime. For example, the patterned antennaradiating emitter may comprise an emitting surface having an averagediameter of between about 5 cm and 12 cm.

In some variations the radio circuitry is configured to transmit radiofrequency (RF) signals so that each of the three antenna input feedstransmits at a different polarization, spectral signal and/or delay.

In some variations the antenna device is configured as a triplefocal-point antenna device having a single emitter adapted to emit threeindependent beams that may be used as a multiple input, multiple output(MIMO) antenna. For example, a device may include: a base plate; agenerally triangular antenna radiating emitter positioned above the baseplate, wherein the generally triangular antenna radiating emittercomprises a sheet of metal having a plurality of cut-out regions alongone or more outer edges; a light port opening through a central regionof the generally triangular antenna radiating emitter; three antennainput feeds extending through the base plate to the triangular antennaradiating emitter, wherein each of the three antenna input feeds areindependent and electrically isolated from each other; and a radiocircuitry coupled to each of the three antenna input feeds, wherein theradio circuitry is configured to transmit radio frequency (RF) signalsso that each of the three antenna input feeds transmits at a differentpolarization, spectral signal and/or delay, wherein the triangularantenna radiating emitter emits three independent and uncoupled beams.

Also described herein are wireless transmission stations, includingwireless broadband access devices. Any of the antennas described hereinmay be configured as part of a broadband access device and/or wirelessaccess point (“AP”). These apparatuses, including devices and systems,may be wireless broadband access devices that are configurable as apoint-to-point or point-to-multipoint stations. In general, theapparatuses described herein may include an antenna and controlcircuitry configured to control transmission and receipt of broadbandinformation to and from the antenna. The antennas described herein mayalso be configured and/or referred to as planar antennas. As mentioned,in some variations, an antenna assembly includes a feed horn antennaemitting n signals, where n≥2, a primary reflector, a secondaryreflector, and a collector. Some of the antennas described herein areconfigure as feed horn antennas. A feed horn antenna may have awaveguide that interposes a horn and a radiator configured to emit nbeams, where each beam can comprise a signal. The primary reflector hasn regions, each region directing electric energy waves correspondinguniquely to one of the n signals, each region having a parabolicsurface. The secondary reflector may have n regions, each regiondirecting electric energy waves corresponding uniquely to one of the nsignals toward its corresponding region of the primary reflector, eachregion having a hyperbolic surface. The collector may absorbs only aportion of the electric energy waves directed toward the secondaryreflector, the portion of the waves consists of only those waves whichmay otherwise reflect back to the feed horn antenna.

As mentioned, any of the antenna assemblies described herein may beconfigured to direct the emitted beams (rather than acting asomnidirectional or semi-omnidirectional). Thus, any of these examplesmay include at least one reflector, though in particular variationsincluding two (or more) reflectors are described.

For example, an antenna assembly may include: a primary reflector havinga concave reflecting surface configured to direct electromagneticenergy; a secondary reflector within the primary reflector having aconvex reflecting surface configured to direct electromagnetic energytoward the primary reflector; a primary feed having a patterned emittingsurface; two or more (e.g., three) antenna input feeds each connected tothe patterned antenna emitting surface of the primary feed; and two ormore (e.g., three) connectors exposed on an external surface of theantenna assembly wherein each connector is configured to couple to oneof the two or more antenna input feeds and configured to transmit radiofrequency (RF) signals at a different polarization to each of theantenna input feeds.

In general, the connectors may be antenna input connectors and maycouple to a separate radio device or (in some variations) an integratedradio device having radio circuitry so that the connectors connect theradio circuit to each of the antenna input feeds and to transmit radiofrequency (RF) signals at a different polarization to each of theantenna input feeds. The connectors may be on an outer surface (e.g., ofthe housing connected to or continuous with the primary reflector), orthey may be covered (e.g., by a door, housing, etc.) that protects themfrom the elements. They may generally be accessed by an installer forconnecting the radio device to the antenna. In some variations theantenna assembly includes the radio device, which may be integrated withthe antenna assembly or attachable/removable from it.

An antenna assembly may include: a primary reflector having a concavereflecting surface configured to direct electromagnetic energy; asecondary reflector within the primary reflector having a convexreflecting surface configured to direct electromagnetic energy towardthe primary reflector; a primary feed having a patterned emittingsurface; a first radome extending across the concave reflecting surfaceof the primary reflector; a second radome having a curved surface andextending within the concave reflecting surface of the primary reflectorfrom an outer edge of the concave reflecting surface to the secondaryreflector; three or more antenna input feeds each connected to thepatterned antenna emitting surface of the primary feed; and three ormore connectors exposed on an external surface of the antenna assemblywherein each connector is configured to couple to one of the three ormore antenna input feeds and configured to transmit radio frequency (RF)signals at a different polarization to each of the antenna input feeds.The radio assembly may also include a radio circuit coupled to each ofthe three or more antenna input feeds (through the connectors) andconfigured to transmit radio frequency (RF) signals at a differentpolarization to each of the antenna input feeds.

For example, an antenna assembly may include: a primary reflector havinga concave reflecting surface configured to direct electromagneticenergy; a secondary reflector within the primary reflector having aconvex reflecting surface configured to direct electromagnetic energytoward the primary reflector; a primary feed having a patterned emittingsurface; and three or more antenna input feeds each connected to thepatterned antenna emitting surface of the primary feed, wherein each ofthe three or more antenna input feeds are independent and electricallyisolated from each other; and radio circuitry coupled to each of thethree or more antenna input feeds and configured to transmit radiofrequency (RF) signals at a different polarization to each of theantenna input feeds, wherein the patterned emitting surface of theprimary feed emits a separate beam corresponding to each of thedifferent polarizations, and wherein each of the beams reflect from thesecondary reflector onto a different portion of the primary reflector.

In any of these examples, the antenna assembly may also include a shapedradome across the primary reflector that acts as a lens so that thephase front of the emitted RF signals is more uniform. For example, anyof these apparatuses may include a first radome extending across theconcave reflecting surface of the primary reflector and a second radomehaving a curved surface and extending within the concave reflectingsurface of the primary reflector from an outer edge of the concavereflecting surface to the secondary reflector.

Any of these antenna assemblies may include a feed horn surrounding theprimary feed.

As mentioned above, the primary reflector may be parabolic reflector,e.g., may have a parabolic interior surface. This interior surface mayform a cavity. The secondary reflector may be a reflective hyperbolicexterior surface (e.g., having a convex outer surface). The secondaryreflector may be supported within the cavity formed by the primaryreflector by one or more supports, and/or it may be supported on (and/orintegrated with) a shaped radome covering all or part of the opening ormouth formed by the concave inner surface of the primary reflector. Forexample, the secondary reflector (which may also be referred to as aconvex reflector) may be connected to a secondary radome that is withinthe opening formed by the concave primary reflector. In any of thevariations described herein the secondary radome may be shaped so thatsignals emitted from the antenna assembly to have a uniform phase front.Although this lensing radome may be used in conjunction with a primaryradome (e.g., an outer radome covering the opening of the primaryreflector), it may be used alone, without any other (e.g., “primary”)radome.

In general, the first reflector, second reflector and primary feed maybe configured so that radio frequency signals at different polarizationsare emitted from different regions of the primary reflector. Differentlypolarized signals are sent to the patterned emitting surface fromdifferent (and independent antenna feeds), and emitted from thepatterned emitting surface at different locations so that they hit thesecondary reflector (located opposite the patterned emitting surface) atdifferent regions. These different regions may overlap or benon-overlapping. Once reflected from specific (overlapping ornon-overlapping) sub-regions of the secondary reflector, the differentlypolarized RF signals may be reflected from different sub-regions(overlapping or non-overlapping) of the primary reflector. Thus, thefirst reflector, second reflector and primary feed may be configured sothat radio frequency signals at different polarizations are emitted inthe same direction from the antenna assembly but from different regionsof the primary reflector.

Also described herein are methods for transmitting RF signals using anyof the apparatuses described herein. For example, described herein aremethods of transmitting radio frequency (RF) signals from an antennaassembly including: transmitting a first RF signal at a firstpolarization from an emitting surface of a primary feed towards asecondary reflector, reflecting the first RF signal from the secondaryreflector to a first portion of a primary reflector, reflecting thefirst RF signal from the primary reflector to emit the first RF signalfrom the antenna assembly in a first direction; and transmitting asecond RF signal at a second polarization from the emitting surface ofthe primary feed towards the secondary reflector, reflecting the secondRF signal from the secondary reflector to a second portion of theprimary reflector, reflecting the second RF signal from the primaryreflector to emit the second RF signal from the antenna assembly in thefirst direction.

Any of these methods may also include transmitting a third RF signal ata third polarization from the emitting surface of the primary feedtowards the secondary reflector, reflecting the third RF signal from thesecondary reflector to a third portion of the primary reflector,reflecting the third RF signal from the primary reflector to emit thethird RF signal from the antenna assembly in the first direction.

For example, a method of transmitting radio frequency (RF) signals froman antenna assembly may include: transmitting a first RF signal at afirst polarization from an emitting surface of a primary feed towards asecondary reflector, reflecting the first RF signal from the secondaryreflector to a first portion of a primary reflector, reflecting thefirst RF signal from the primary reflector to emit the first RF signalfrom the antenna assembly in a first direction; transmitting a second RFsignal at a second polarization from the emitting surface of the primaryfeed towards the secondary reflector, reflecting the second RF signalfrom the secondary reflector to a second portion of the primaryreflector, reflecting the second RF signal from the primary reflector toemit the second RF signal from the antenna assembly in the firstdirection; transmitting a third RF signal at a third polarization fromthe emitting surface of the primary feed towards the secondaryreflector, reflecting the third RF signal from the secondary reflectorto a third portion of the primary reflector, reflecting the third RFsignal from the primary reflector to emit the third RF signal from theantenna assembly in the first direction; and passing the first, secondand third RF signals through a curved radome to adjust the phase frontof the first, second and third RF signals so that they are uniform.

As mentioned, any of these methods may include passing the first andsecond RF signals through a shaped radome within (including over) aparabolic cavity formed by the primary reflector. The shaped radome mayoperate as a lens, so that RF signals transmitted through the radomefrom the device have a more uniform phase front. For example, the methodmay include passing the first and second RF signals through a shapedradome within a parabolic cavity formed by the primary reflector andthrough a flat radome covering the parabolic cavity of the primaryreflector. Thus, any of these methods may include passing the first andsecond RF signals through a shaped radome so that first and second RFsignals emitted from the antenna assembly have a uniform phase front.

Any of these methods may also include transmitting the first RF signalfrom a radio circuit through a first antenna input feed to the emittingsurface of the primary feed and transmitting the second RF signal fromthe radio circuit to a second antenna input feed to the emitting surfaceof the primary feed.

As mentioned, the first portion of a primary reflector and the secondportion of the primary reflector may comprise different but overlappingregions; alternatively, the first portion of a primary reflector and thesecond portion of the primary reflector may comprise non-overlappingregions.

Although the majority of the apparatuses described herein include asingle primary feed with a single patterned antenna emitting surface, insome variations a plurality of antenna emitting surfaces may be used,particularly with the configuration of the dual reflectors describedherein. For example, an array antenna may be used. An array antenna mayalso be referred to as a patch array antenna or patch antenna, and maybe formed of a plurality of antenna radiating elements each having aradiating surface. The antenna arrays may also be configured and/orreferred to as planar antennas or planar array antennas.

For example, in one variation an antenna assembly may include a primaryreflector directing electric energy waves, a secondary reflectordirecting electric energy waves toward the primary reflector, a feedhorn antenna directing electric energy waves toward the secondaryreflector. The feed horn antenna may include a shorted patch antennaarray positioned at an opening to the feed horn. The apparatus mayinclude a collector absorbs only a portion of the electric energy wavesdirected toward the secondary reflector. The portion of the wavesconsists of only those waves which may otherwise reflect back to thefeed horn antenna. The collector may be an orthogonal mode transducerprobe.

Also described herein are apparatuses (e.g., compact radio frequencyantenna apparatuses) having a lightpipe. The apparatus may beparticularly compact because the lightpipe may be configured to passthrough the primary feed. Although the primary feed is configured to berelatively large (e.g., a unitary primary feed as described herein,between 1-8 inches in average diameter), the primary feed may have anemitting surface that includes a hole or aperture through which thelightpipe may pass. The light from the lightpipe may be used to providea visual indicator of the status of the device, such as on/off,transmitting/receiving, quality of signal connection(s), etc.

For example, a compact RF antenna apparatus having a lightpipe mayinclude: a base of printed circuit material including a light emittingdiode (LED); a primary feed held above the PCB comprising a flatemitting surface with an aperture therethrough; a lightpipe extendingfrom the LED though the aperture of the primary feed, the lightpipecomprising a stem portion coupled to an emission portion of the LED andextending through the aperture to a cap and an illumination region on oraround the cap; and a radio circuitry on the PCB and coupled to theprimary feed, wherein the radio circuitry is configured to transmit RFsignals to and from the primary feed.

Thus, a compact radio frequency (RF) antenna device having a lightpipe,the device comprising: a base of printed circuit material including alight emitting diode (LED); a primary feed comprising a sheet of metalhaving a flat emitting surface with an aperture through the emittingsurface, wherein the primary feed is separated from the base by aplurality of antenna input feeds extending from the PCB; a lightpipeextending from the LED though the aperture of the primary feed, thelightpipe comprising a stem portion coupled to an emission portion ofthe LED and extending through the aperture to a cap comprising atranslucent illumination region; and a radio circuitry on the PCB andcoupled to the primary feed through the plurality of antenna inputfeeds, wherein the radio circuitry is configured to transmit RF signalsto and from the primary feed through the plurality of antenna inputfeeds.

In general, any of these antenna devices may be configured as an accesspoint. These apparatus may include a housing, e.g., a shallowdish-shaped housing enclosing the PCB, primary feed and radio circuitry.The apparatus may also include a cover, which may mate with the capregion of the lightpipe, or may include a translucent or transparentregion allowing light to pass from the lightpipe through the cover.

Any of the primary feeds described herein may be used. For example, theprimary feed may be connected (e.g., directly connected) to the PCB bygrounding pins or legs and at least one feed point.

The stem of the lighpipe may be pyramidal or conical. The stem portionof the lightpipe may be funnel-shaped, e.g., having a conical mouth atthe end of the stem. The mouth may be larger perimeter than the stem.The lightpipe may include a circular mouth distal to the LED and stem;in some variations the lightpipe includes a square mouth. The mouth ofthe lightpipe may be textured to diffuse light from the LED.

The cap of the lightpipe may be partially or completely translucent,e.g., it may include a translucent ring. In general, the cap may beconfigured to cover the mouth of the lightpipe. The stem of thelightpipe may encompass the LED. The lightpipe may include comprises apolycarbonate material. The lightpipe may be oriented perpendicular tothe PCB.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, 1E, and 1F show one variation of a conical shapedantenna assembly. FIG. 1A shows an isometric view with the (outer orprimary) radome cover. FIG. 1B shows a back view. FIG. 1C shows a bottomview. FIG. 1D shows a left view. FIG. 1E shows a right view. FIG. 1Fshows a top view.

FIGS. 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D, 2E, and 2F shows the front section of the assemblyshown in FIG. 1 without the outer radome. FIG. 2A shows an isometricview. FIG. 2B shows a cross-sectional view. FIG. 2C shows a top view.FIG. 2D shows a back view. FIG. 2E shows a left view. FIG. 2F shows aright view.

FIGS. 3A and 3B show an exploded view of the assembly shown in FIGS.1A-1F.

FIGS. 4A and 4B show close-up views of the variations of the secondaryreflector shown in FIG. 3A.

FIG. 5 shows a cross-sectional view of the feed horn antenna shown inFIGS. 1A-1F.

FIG. 6 shows a close-up top-down view of the radiator shown in FIG. 5.

FIGS. 7A and 7B show a close-up expanded perspective of the variation ofthe antenna primary feed shown in FIG. 5.

FIG. 8A shows one variation of an antenna assembly confirmed having asingle emitter element (a patterned antenna radiating emitter) that isconfigured to direct multiple beams at different polarization, spectralsignal and/or delays that are reflected by primary and secondaryreflectors and directed out of the assembly in the same direction.

FIG. 8B is an exploded view of the apparatus of FIG. 8A.

FIGS. 8C, 8D and 8E show a shaped radome including a secondaryreflector, which may be included with some variations of an antennaassembly.

FIGS. 9A, 9B, 9C, 9D and 9E show front, top, bottom, left side and rightside views, respectively, of the apparatus of FIGS. 8A and 8B.

FIG. 10A illustrates one variation of a primary feed having a singleemitter, and radio circuitry for an antenna assembly. In this example,the primary feed is covered by a cap (e.g., radome element).

FIG. 10B shows the same components but with the radome cover removed,exposing the primary feed including the single patterned antennaradiating emitter and a horn region.

FIG. 10C shows the same components as in FIG. 10B, but with the hornremoved, exposing the base (e.g., PCB) to which the primary feed iscoupled.

FIG. 10D shows a back view of the base to which the primary feed of FIG.10C is coupled.

FIGS. 11A, 11B and 11C illustrate a first perspective, top and secondperspective view, respectively of one variation of a primary feed havinga patterned antenna radiating emitter.

FIGS. 12A and 12B show an alternative view of a primary feed includingan emitter, and radio circuitry for a multi-focal-point antenna. FIG.12A includes a horn element that is not shown in FIG. 12B.

FIG. 12C is a side view of the components shown in FIG. 12A, includingthe horn.

FIGS. 13A, 13B and 13C are top perspective, side perspective and topviews, respectively, of another variation of a primary feed including asingle (unitary) patterned antenna radiating emitter.

FIGS. 14A, 14B and 14C are top perspective, side perspective, and topviews, respectively of another variation of a primary feed including asingle patterned antenna radiating emitter.

FIG. 15A is a perspective view of one variation of a wireless accesspoint configured as a multi-focal-point antenna having a single primaryfeed with a single emitter that directs multiple beams at differentpolarization, spectral signal and/or delays. This variation isomnidirectional (or semi-omnidirectional) compared to similar devicesshown in FIGS. 1A-1F, 9A-9F and 23A-23F.

FIG. 15B is an exploded view of the apparatus of FIG. 15A, illustratingthe single patterned antenna radiating emitter configured to emit threebeams and control (radio) circuitry.

FIG. 16 shows the wireless access point of FIG. 15A with the enclosureand lightpipe cover removed.

FIG. 17A is a cross-sectional view along the x-z axis.

FIG. 17B is a cross-sectional view along the x-y axis.

FIG. 18 is a top view illustrating the emitter element (a generallytriangular antenna radiating emitter) and radio circuitry of thewireless access point of FIG. 15A.

FIGS. 19A and 19B are sections through emitter, radio circuitry andlightpipe of the apparatus shown in FIGS. 9A-11), in which the lightpipehas a circular mouth. FIG. 19A is a cross-sectional perspective view.FIG. 19B is a top view of the lightpipe.

FIGS. 20A and 20B illustrate a variation similar to that shown in FIGS.19A and 19B, in which the lightpipe has a square mouth. FIG. 20A is across-sectional perspective view. FIG. 20B is a top view of thelightpipe.

FIGS. 21A and 21B show perspective and top views, respectively of agenerally triangular antenna radiating emitter of a primary feed.

FIGS. 22A and 22B show an alternatively variation of a generallytriangular antenna radiating emitter (which does not include a centralaperture for a lightpipe).

FIGS. 23A, 23B, 23C, 23D, 23E, and 23F illustrate another variation ofan antenna apparatus including a single primary feed with a singleemitter (patterned antenna radiating emitter). FIG. 23A shows a frontview. FIG. 23B is a back view (showing four connectors for connecting toa radio device including an RF radio device). FIG. 23C is another viewof the back of the antenna assembly of FIG. 23A, showing the mountingand connectors.

FIGS. 23D and 23E show view of the inside of the primary parabolicreflector of the device of FIG. 23A, showing the inner reflectivesurface of the primary parabolic reflector (the secondary parabolicreflector and radome have been removed in these figures). In FIG. 23A acovering is shown covering the primary feed. This covering (which isalso a radome) is shown removed in FIG. 23E, exposing the primary feed,and particularly the emitting surface (patterned antenna radiatingemitter).

FIG. 23F is a cross-section through the antenna apparatus of FIG. 23A,showing the primary reflector and within the primary reflector a secondreflector opposite the primary feed (comprising a patterned antennaradiating emitter) having four independent antenna feed inputs (two arevisible) connected to the single patterned antenna radiating emitter.

FIG. 23G is an exploded view of the apparatus of FIG. 23A.

FIGS. 24A and 24B show alternative views of the primary feed having apatterned antenna radiating emitter with multiple antenna input feedsconnecting at different locations to the same patterned antennaradiating emitter. FIG. 24A includes a horn element that shown missingin FIG. 24B.

FIG. 25 is a schematic approximation of the paths taken by different RFsignals beams extending from the patterned antenna radiating emitter ofan antenna apparatus such as the one shown in FIGS. 23A-23G.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In general, described herein are wireless antenna assemblies, includingtransmission stations, which may include a radio and antenna (e.g.combined radio and antenna), for providing wireless broadband accessconfigured for outdoor and/or indoor use to provide point-to-point orpoint-to-multipoint communication. Also described herein are antennasthat may be used as part of a wireless transmission station.

A wireless transmission station apparatuses, including devices and/orapparatuses, may include a closed housing that may be sealed orotherwise made weatherproof/waterproof, an integrated bracket mountforming part of the housing, and an internal space housing one or morereflectors, and an emitter (e.g., a primary feed having a single emittersurface that receives input from multiple antenna feeds each carrying adifferently polarized RF signal. In some variations, the device alsoincludes a bracket the engages (and may be locked/secured) to thebracket mount on the rear of the housing to secure the device to pole,stand, or any other mount. In some variations the bracket and bracketmount are ball-and-docket brackets/mounts that permit adjustment of theposition of the housing and thereby the antenna. In some variations thebracket (e.g., a socket) is configured as a fixed bracket, i.e., thebracket is in a permanently fixed position (non-moveable) relative tothe housing or is formed as part of the housing. The bracket mount andbracket may be configured to cooperate to allow the angle of the device(e.g., the altitudinal angle of the device relative to the pole or mountto which it has been attached) to be selected. Once selected, the anglemay be fixed. In some variations, the angle may be permanently fixed,while in other variations the angle may be later adjusted. The bracketmay include a lock or locking element that may be fixed and/or releasedto allow adjustment. Although different examples of apparatuses(including devices and systems) configured as wireless transmissionstations and/or antenna are described and illustrated, any of thefeatures of one example may be combined with features of any of theother examples. For example, any of the various housing configurationsmay be used with any of the mount sub-systems described herein. Thefollowing terms and phrases should be read in their most general form.The general meaning of each of these terms or phrases is illustrativebut not limiting.

The terms “antenna”, “antenna system”, “antenna assembly” and the like,generally refer to any device that is designed to transmit or receiveelectromagnetic radiation. In other words, antennas convertelectromagnetic radiation into electrical currents and vice versa. Anantenna may include an arrangement of conductor(s) that generate aradiating electromagnetic field in response to an applied alternatingvoltage and the associated alternating electric current, or can beplaced in an electromagnetic field so that the field will induce analternating current in the antenna and a voltage between its terminals.

The phrase “wireless communication system” generally refers to acoupling of EMF's (electromagnetic fields) between a sender and areceiver. For example and without limitation, many wirelesscommunication systems operate with senders and receivers usingmodulation onto carrier frequencies of between about 2.4 GHz and about 5GHz. However, in the context of this disclosure, there is no particularreason why there should be any such limitation. For example and withoutlimitation, wireless communication systems might operate, at least inpart, with vastly distinct EMF frequencies, e.g. ELF (extremely lowfrequencies) or using light (e.g., lasers), as is sometimes used forcommunication with satellites or spacecraft.

The phrase “access point”, the term “AP”, and the like, generally referto any devices capable of operation within a wireless communicationsystem, in which at least some of their communication is potentiallywith wireless stations. For example, an “AP” might refer to a devicecapable of wireless communication with wireless stations, capable ofwire-line or wireless communication with other AP's, and capable ofwire-line or wireless communication with a control unit. Additionally,some examples AP's might communicate with devices external to thewireless communication system (e.g., an extranet, internet, orintranet), using an L2/L3 network. However, in the context of thisdisclosure, there is no particular reason why there should be any suchlimitation. For example, one or more AP's might communicate wirelessly,while zero or more AP's might optionally communicate using a wire-linecommunication link.

The term “filter”, and the like, generally refers to signal manipulationtechniques, whether analog, digital, or otherwise, in which signalsmodulated onto distinct carrier frequencies can be separated, with theeffect that those signals can be individually processed.

By way of example, in systems in which frequencies both in theapproximately 2.4 GHz range and the approximately 5 GHz range areconcurrently used, it might occur that a single band-pass, high-pass, orlow-pass filter for the approximately 2.4 GHz range is sufficient todistinguish the approximately 2.4 GHz range from the approximately 5 GHzrange, but that such a single band-pass, high-pass, or low-pass filterhas drawbacks in distinguishing each particular channel within theapproximately 2.4 GHz range or has drawbacks in distinguishing eachparticular channel within the approximately 5 GHz range. In such cases,a 1st set of signal filters might be used to distinguish those channelscollectively within the approximately 2.4 GHz range from those channelscollectively within the approximately 5 GHz range. A 2nd set of signalfilters might be used to separately distinguish individual channelswithin the approximately 2.4 GHz range, while a 3rd set of signalfilters might be used to separately distinguish individual channelswithin the approximately 5 GHz range.

The phrase “isolation technique”, the term “isolate”, and the like,generally refer to any device or technique involving reducing the amountof noise perceived on a 1st channel when signals are concurrentlycommunicated on a 2nd channel. This is sometimes referred to herein as“crosstalk”, “interference”, or “noise”.

The phrase “null region”, the term “null”, and the like, generally referto regions in which an operating antenna (or antenna part) hasrelatively little EMF effect on those particular regions. This has theeffect that EMF radiation emitted or received within those regions areoften relatively unaffected by EMF radiation emitted or received withinother regions of the operating antenna (or antenna part).

The term “radio”, and the like, generally refer to (1) devices capableof wireless communication while concurrently using multiple antennae,frequencies, or some other combination or conjunction of techniques, or(2) techniques involving wireless communication while concurrently usingmultiple antennae, frequencies, or some other combination or conjunctionof techniques.

The terms “polarization”, and the like, generally refers to signalshaving a selected polarization. Differently polarized signals includesignal that are phase shifted relative to each other by some amount,e.g., horizontal polarization, vertical polarization, right circularpolarization, left circular polarization. The term “orthogonal”generally refers to relative a lack of interaction between a 1st signaland a 2nd signal, in cases in which that 1st signal and 2nd signal arepolarized. For example and without limitation, a 1st EMF signal havinghorizontal polarization should have relatively little interaction with a2nd EMF signal having vertical polarization.

The phrase “wireless station” (WS), “mobile station” (MS), and the like,generally refer to devices capable of operation within a wirelesscommunication system, in which at least some of their communicationpotentially uses wireless techniques.

The phrase “patch antenna” or “microstrip antenna” generally refers toan antenna formed by suspending a single metal patch over a groundplane. The assembly may be contained inside a plastic radome, whichprotects the antenna structure from damage. A patch antenna is oftenconstructed on a dielectric substrate to provide for electricalisolation.

The phrase “dual polarized” generally refers to antennas or systemsformed to radiate electromagnetic radiation polarized in two modes.Generally the two modes are horizontal radiation and vertical radiation.Similarly, multiple polarizations may refer to systems configured toemit RF signals at more than 2 (e.g., 3 or more) polarizations.

The phrase “patch” generally refers to a metal patch suspended over aground plane. Patches are used in the construction of patch antennas andoften are operable to provide for radiation or impedance matching ofantennas.

In some variations, described herein are apparatuses including a singleprimary feed that includes a single continuous emitting/radiatingsurface that receives input from a plurality of antenna feedstransmitting independent RF signals at different polarizations. Thesedifferently polarized signals may each be emitted from the emittersurface in different beams. In some variations the antenna assembliesinclude two or more reflectors for directing the different beams emittedin a particular direction, having a relatively uniform phase front. Theprimary feed, first (e.g., primary) reflector and second (e.g.,secondary) reflector may be arranged so that the different beams reflectoff of different portions of the first and second reflectors but aredirected in the same direction. The primary reflector may be parabolicand the secondary reflector (typically, but not necessarily) may bewithin the cavity formed by the primary reflector, opposite from theprimary feed.

In general, any of the antenna assemblies (which may be referred to asantenna apparatuses and include antenna system and antenna devices) areparticularly useful for MIMO, as they may provide different paths forthe signals having different polarizations.

In some variations a primary feed with a single emitting surface andmultiple (e.g., 3 or more) antenna feeds may be used with a radiocircuit supplying RF signals at different polarizations as anomnidirectional, e.g., 360 degree, (or semi-omnidirectional, e.g.,between 180 and 360 degrees, between 225 and 360 degrees, between 270degree and 360 degrees, etc.).

For example, described herein are wireless transmission stations thatmay include radio circuitry and one or more antennae (e.g. combinedradio and antenna) for providing wireless broadband access configuredfor outdoor and/or indoor use to provide point-to-point orpoint-to-multipoint communication. In particular, described herein aremulti-focal-point antenna devices having a single emitter adapted toemit three or more independent beams. The multi-focal point antenna mayinclude a single patterned antenna radiating emitter and n antenna inputfeeds that are each independent and electrically isolated from eachother.

A wireless transmission station apparatus may include a closed housingthat may be sealed or otherwise made weatherproof/waterproof, anintegrated bracket mount forming part of the housing, and an internalspace housing one or more antennas. The device may also include abracket the engages (and may be locked/secured) to the bracket mount onthe rear of the housing to secure the device to pole, stand, or anyother mount. A bracket and bracket mount may be ball-and-docketbrackets/mounts that permit adjustment of the position of the housingand thereby the antenna. The bracket (e.g., a socket) may be configuredas a fixed bracket, i.e., the bracket may be in a permanently fixedposition (non-moveable) relative to the housing or may be formed as partof the housing. The bracket mount and bracket may be configured tocooperate to allow the angle of the device (e.g., the altitudinal angleof the device relative to the pole or mount to which it has beenattached) to be selected. Once selected, the angle may be fixed. Theangle may be permanently fixed, or the angle may be later adjusted. Thebracket may include a lock or locking element that may be fixed and/orreleased to allow adjustment. Although different examples of apparatuses(including devices and systems) configured as wireless transmissionstations and/or antenna are described and illustrated, any of thefeatures of one example may be combined with features of any of theother examples. For example, any of the various housing configurationsmay be used with any of the mount sub-systems described herein. Thefollowing terms and phrases should be read in their most general form.The general meaning of each of these terms or phrases is illustrativebut not limiting.

FIGS. 1A-F show one variation of the conical shaped antenna assembly.FIG. 1A shows an isometric view with the radome cover. FIG. 1B shows aback view. FIG. 1C shows a bottom view. FIG. 1D shows a left view. FIG.1E shows a right view. FIG. 1F shows a top view. The antenna assemblyincludes a substantially conical (and/or parabolic) primary reflector 11having a base. A secondary reflector (not visible) is suspendedproximate to an antenna positioned at the base. In operation, the vertexend of the conical shaped antenna assembly may be electrically coupledto a final amplifier of a radio transmitter (not shown) such that theapex may function as an antenna feed point or feed area. The antenna maybe impedance matched to the amplifier either by constructing the antennaassembly to predetermined dimensions or through an additional circuit(not shown) tuned to the impedance of the transmission system. When theradiator transmitter is transmitting, the antenna may be electricallyexcited at the frequency of transmission and radiate energy away fromthe antenna.

FIGS. 2A-F shows the front section of the assembly shown in FIG. 1without the radome. FIG. 2A shows an isometric view. FIG. 2B shows across-sectional view. FIG. 2C shows a top view. FIG. 2D shows a backview. FIG. 2E shows a left view. FIG. 2F shows a right view. The primaryreflector 11 has a parabolic interior surface and a base. A rubber cowlencompasses the outer edge of the primary reflector. A portion of thecowl extends beyond the radome. The radome fits in the upper edge of theprimary reflector. The cowl when mated to the radome protects theassembly from environmental conditions such as birds, rain, and sunlightthereby creating a waterproof and weatherproof seal. The primaryreflector is preferably made of aluminum. A support structure connects asecondary reflector 13 to the primary reflector in an on-axisconfiguration. An antenna submount assembly interposes the primary andsecondary reflectors such that the secondary reflector presents areflective hyperbolic surface or convex surface to the antenna submountassembly. A shroud covers the antenna submount assembly.

The supporting structure connects the secondary reflector to the primaryreflector. In this variation, the supporting structure 15 includes threevertical shackles, e.g. three plastic arms. The arms are evenlydistributed along the perimeter of the secondary reflector.

This variation may operate as a Cassegrain antenna, where a feed antennais mounted at or behind the surface of the concave main parabolicreflector dish and is aimed at a smaller convex secondary reflectorsuspended in front of the primary reflector. The beam of radio wavesfrom the feed illuminates the secondary reflector, which reflects itback to the main reflector dish, which reflects it forward again to formthe desired beam.

FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B, in concert, show an exploded view of the assemblyshown in FIG. 1. FIG. 3B shows an expanded view of the antenna submountassembly 31. The antenna submount assembly attaches behind the secondaryreflector. A horn flange 35 is centrally positioned on a base. A feedantenna is secured to a plate. An O-ring interposes the base and theplate. The feed antenna collects the signal from the secondary reflectorand directs it to an orthomode transducer (OMT) probe. The OMT probeabsorbs the collected signal and conducts it to the connector (notshown). Although in this example, the primary feed is configured tocouple to just two antenna feed inputs that each couple to a connectorof a pair of connectors 33 (e.g., one for vertical polarization and onefor horizontal polarization), as described in greater detail, three ormore polarizations may be emitted from a primary feed, and particularlya primary feed 15 having an appropriate pattern of cut-out regions onmetal emitter/radiator surface.

This example of an OMT probe may also be referred to as a polarizationduplexer. They are typically used to either combine or to separate twoorthogonally polarized microwave signal paths. One of the paths formsthe uplink, which is transmitted over the same waveguide as the receivedsignal path, or downlink path. OMT probes are used with feed hornantennas to isolate orthogonal polarizations of a signal and totransceive signals to different ports.

FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B show close-up views of additional examples of thesecondary reflector shown in FIG. 3. For both views, the secondaryreflector has a parabolic interior surface and a reflective hyperbolicexterior surface. This is an on-axis reflector configuration. Theinterior surface of the secondary reflector is lined by a concentricsupport structure. The base of the secondary reflector covers the hornof the feed horn antenna. Alternatively, the interior surface of thesecondary reflector may be continuous.

FIG. 5 shows a cross-sectional view of the feed horn antenna shown inFIGS. 1A-1F. The feed horn has a narrow beamwidth/higher gain to focusits radiation on the smaller secondary reflector. The angular widthsubtends the feed horn typically 10-15 degrees. Typically, the phasecenter of the horn is placed at the focal point of the secondaryreflector. The feed horn includes a waveguide having an unvaryingcross-sectional area and a horn that flares outward. The material may bemade of metal. The primary feed is seated at the base of the waveguide.Each of the resonant arms (antenna inputs) of the primary feed attachesto the baseplate. The baseplate is attached via screws to the feed horn.

In operation, if a simple open-ended waveguide is used in the antenna,without the horn, the sudden end of the conductive walls may cause anabrupt impedance change at the aperture, from the wave impedance in thewaveguide to the impedance of free space. When radio waves travellingthrough the waveguide hit the opening, this impedance-step reflects asignificant fraction of the wave energy back down the guide toward thesource, so that not all of the power is radiated. In one variation, toimprove performance, the ends of the waveguide may be flared out to forma horn. The taper of the horn changes the impedance gradually along thehorn's length. This acts like an impedance matching transformer,allowing most of the wave energy to radiate out the end of the horn intospace, with minimal reflection. The taper functions similarly to atapered transmission line, or an optical medium with a smoothly varyingrefractive index. In addition, the wide aperture of the horn projectsthe waves in a narrow beam.

The surface area of the horn that gives minimum reflected power is anexponential taper. Conical and pyramidal horns may be used because theyhave straight sides and are easier to design and fabricate.

FIG. 6 shows a close-up top-down view of the radiator shown in FIG. 5.FIGS. 7A and 7B show a close-up expanded perspective of the antennashown in FIG. 5. In this variation, the radiator is a cross-shapedshorted primary feed 15. The primary feed is described with respect to aCartesian coordinate system with axis labels x and y. The x and y axesare perpendicular with respect to one another.

In the illustrative example, there are two x-axial resonant arms, eachhaving a center line parallel to the x-axis. The function describing thefirst x-axial center line is X1=a, where a is a constant. The functiondescribing the second x-axial center line is X2=b, where b is aconstant. Similarly, there are two y-axial resonant arms, each having acenter line parallel to the y-axis. The function describing the firsty-axial center line is Y1=c, where c is a constant. The functiondescribing the second y-axial center line is Y2=d, where d is aconstant. In this example, the x-axis is positioned between first andthe second x-axial center lines. The y-axis is positioned between thefirst and the second y-axial center lines. The origin is positioned atthe intersection of the x-axis and the y-axis. For each pair of axialresonant arms, the arms are opposing, such that a shorting wall toground is positioned at the distal ends, e.g. away from the origin. Thearms are offset such that the spacing between their corresponding centerlines is λ/2 where λ is the wavelength of the antenna. Thus,|X₁−X₂|=|Y₁−Y₂|=λ/2. The antenna is further tuned by the shape of thepatch in the x, y, and z axes.

A slot is positioned within the patch. When the patch is driven as anantenna by a driving frequency, the slot radiates electromagnetic waves.The shape and size of the slot, as well as the driving frequency,determine the radiation distribution pattern.

The radiator is a patch made of a metal sheet mounted above a groundplane using dielectric spacers (not shown). The radiator may be formedfrom an electrically conductive material of the type conventionallyfound in antenna radiators such as aluminum, copper and other malleablemetals. The radiator may be stamped from a single piece of electricallyconductive material.

An illustrative example of a method for operating the aforementionedantenna assemblies is described herein. In transmitting mode, a feedhorn directs electric energy waves from a single substrate primary feedtoward a secondary reflector. The feed horn includes a waveguideconnected to a horn. The primary feed (emitting surface) is positionedat the opening to the waveguide. The secondary reflector directs theelectric energy waves toward a primary reflector. In receiving mode, theprimary reflector receives reflected electric energy waves and directsthe waves towards the secondary reflector. A collector absorbs only aportion of the reflected electric energy waves, the portion of the wavesconsists of only those waves which may otherwise reflect back to theprimary feed.

Another variation of an antenna assembly is shown in FIGS. 8A-8G. Inthis example, the antenna assembly includes three inputs for threedifferently polarized RF signals, each of which may be emitted by thesame primary feed toward a secondary reflector and a primary reflectorfor transmission from the assembly in the same direction with a uniformor near-uniform phase front.

For example, FIG. 8A illustrates one variation of an antenna assembly,and FIG. 8B shows an exploded view of this example. In this variation ofa wireless transmission station, the device 10 includes a shaped radome101 covering the outer opening of the primary reflector 103. In thisexample, the radome fits in the upper edge of a primary reflector 103. Asecondary reflector (not visible in FIGS. 8A and 8B, but illustratedbelow in FIGS. 8C-1E) is supported by the back side of the radome and iscentrally positioned.

FIG. 8C is a back view of the radome of FIGS. 8A and 8B, showing thesecondary reflector 104. FIG. 8D is a side view of the radome includingthe secondary reflector attached at the center of the radome on theinner side, and FIG. 8E is a sectional view through the radome. As willbe discussed in greater detail below, the secondary reflector 104, whichin this example is on the radome, may be positioned so that it reflectsthe different beams to the primary reflector and out of the antenna. Thesecondary reflector 104 has a curved, convex outer surface, so that theRF signals are reflected within the primary reflector so that theprimary reflector reflects the RF signals out of the apparatus, thoughthe shaped radome which may help make the phase front of the RF signalsmore uniform.

An antenna submount assembly 107 (also referred to as the housing front)attaches behind the secondary reflector at the base of the primaryreflector 103. When receiving signals, the antenna may collect thesignal from the secondary reflector and direct it to an orthomodetransducer (OMT) probe, which is also referred to as the primary feedhaving the emitter (or in the apparatuses described herein, a patternedemitter) 110. The OMT probe absorbs the collected signal and conducts itto the connector (not shown). An OMT probe may also be referred to as apolarization multiplexer, and may be used to either combine or toseparate orthogonally polarized microwave signal paths. OMT probes maybe used with (or without) feed horn antennas to isolate orthogonalpolarizations of a signal and to transceive signals to different ports.In FIGS. 8A and 8B, the primary feed (including the patterned emitter)is a planar element 110, which is described in greater detail below, andmay allow multiple beams having different polarizations to be directedfrom the same emitter (and thus, the same antenna apparatus). The beamsmay be independent and isolated from each other. When emitted by thepatterned emitter of the primary feed, the RF signals of differentpolarizations are fed into the primary feed by different, andindependent, antenna feeds, and the resulting RF signal beam leaves theemitter surface in different locations for the different polarizations,thereby reflecting from different regions of the primary and secondaryreflectors in this example.

In FIGS. 8A and 8B, rear housing 115 covers the antenna submountassembly (emitter 110, PCB 112, and plate/horn 113). Within the rearhousing 115, a probe housing holds the primary feed. A bracket assemblyfor mounting to a pole 121 is attached to the back of the shroud and mayinclude a locking/lockable adjustable elevation bracket 123.

FIGS. 9A to 9E illustrate different views of the assembly of FIGS.8A-1B, from front (FIG. 9A), top (FIG. 9B), bottom (FIG. 9C), left side(FIG. 9D), and right side (FIG. 9E).

FIGS. 10A-10D illustrate the antenna submount assembly of the apparatusshown in FIGS. 8A-8E. For example, FIG. 10A illustrates the antennasubmount assembly with a cover or cap 305. FIG. 10B illustrates theantenna submount assembly without the antenna cover, showing the emitter310 and back plate 313. The back plate 113, 313 may be configured as (ormay include) a horn (and in such variations may be referred to as ahorn), as shown below in FIG. 12C. FIG. 10C is another view of theantenna submount assembly similar to that shown in FIG. 10B, but withthe plate/horn portion removed, showing the emitter mounted to thesupporting printed circuit board (PCB 312). In some variations the PCBmay include the antenna circuitry, including radio circuitry and isshown connecting (via cable 355 connector) to one or more other devices,for processing the signals received and/or transmitted by the antennaapparatus. In some variations the circuitry is located on the back sideof the support (PCB 312) and may include connections through the PCB tothe isolated and independent feeds 342. For example, FIG. 10D shows aback view of the subassembly of FIG. 10C, illustrating the back of thePCB 312, including circuitry and the connection to the emitter. Acentral opening 365 through the emitter is visible in FIG. 10D, showingthrough which another element, such as a fiber optic or other lightpipemay be passed. In some variations, the back of the apparatus may includea plurality of connectors for connecting the antenna feeds to radiocircuitry.

In this example, the PCB acts as a substrate holding the emitter andradio circuitry; in some variations a separate substrate (or additionalsubstrate(s)) may be used, including a ground plate.

In the antenna subassembly shown in FIGS. 10A-10C, there are threeantenna paths, as the emitter may operate with three separate and beamsand is fed by three electrically isolated and independent antenna feeds.In the example multi-focal point antenna assembly shown in FIGS. 8A-8E,each antenna path (beam) has a corresponding sector for the primary andthe secondary reflectors, and each sector may be optimized to improvethe gain. These sectors (region s on the primary and secondaryreflector) may be separate or overlapping.

The multi-focal point antenna assembly shown in FIGS. 8A-8E is a tripoleantenna that may operate similar to a “planar inverted F type” antenna,in which the emitting surface includes both a shorting pin or shortingpost on one side and a feed (feed point) along another side. However, ina traditional planar inverted F type antennas a single feed is connectedto a patch emitting surface and the overall dimensions of the surfaceare typically rectangular (or square) having a path length that adds upto a fraction (e.g., a quarter or half) of the desired wavelength.Because the patch is shorted to ground at the end, the current at theend of the patch antenna is not forced to be zero (and may thereforehave the same current-voltage distribution as a half-wave patchantenna). Unlike traditional planar inverted F type antennas, theemitters descried herein typically have 3 or more feed points (feeds)corresponding to the beams to be emitted, and have three or moreshorting posts, pins or surfaces.

FIGS. 11A-11C illustrate an example of a primary feed having an emitterfor a multi-focal point antenna, as described herein. The primary feedhaving a single (patterned) emitter shown in FIGS. 11A-11C is the sameas the primary feed shown in the example of FIGS. 8A-8E. In thisvariation, the primary feed includes an upper flat surface 466(radiating/emission surface). FIG. 11A shows a side perspective view ofthis primary feed. In this example, the emission (flat, upper) surfaceincludes an opening 465 that may be used to pass another element (suchas a lightpipe, e.g., fiber optic, etc.). The overall shape of theprimary feed in FIGS. 11A-11C is roughly triangular, as is apparent inthe top view shown in FIG. 11B, although only approximately triangular.In this example, the outer circumference includes folded-down regionsand non-folded down regions (e.g., flaps 467) and/or cut-out regions(not shown in this example) which may slightly alter the overalltriangular shape. The emitter shown in FIGS. 11A-11C is triangularlysymmetric, so that each 120 degree radial slice of the device, takenfrom the top center of the emitter (as in FIG. 11B), is repeated.

In general, the multi-focal emitters (primary feeds) described hereinfor emitting n beams include n feeds. In FIGS. 11A-11C three antennafeeds (442, 442′, 442″) are shown, and the primary feed is configured toemit three beams, with each beam in a slightly different direction. Inaddition, three separate shorting (grounding) regions (pins, posts,etc.) 452, 452′, 452″ are shown. Each of the antenna feeds is typicallyisolated (electrically isolated) and independent of each other, andfeeds onto the same plate/plane. In this example, the antenna feeds eachconnect to a folded-over flap region that is adjacent to the shortingelement (pin or post). In practice, electrical energy fed by eachantenna feed may result in emission of an RF signal having a slightlydifferent average vector (e.g., beam angle/polarization). The beams maybe, in some cases, orthogonal to each other.

FIGS. 12A and 12B illustrate an alternative variation of an antennasubassembly including a primary feed and an emitter and backing (PCB)also including radio circuitry for a multi-focal-point antenna. In thisexample, the sub-assembly shown in FIG. 12A includes a horn 513 aroundthe emitter element 510. The subassembly may also include feed linesfrom the radio circuitry connected to and feeding the feeds attached tothe resonating emitter plate, and a DC-shorting plate (e.g., a groundplane/plate) that is connecting the ground and the top plate through theaforementioned shorting pins/posts. FIG. 12B shows the subassembly ofFIG. 12A with the horn removed.

The primary feed having an emitter shown in FIGS. 12A-12B has a slightlydifferent geometry than the emitter of FIGS. 11A-11C. In general theprimary feed element (with an emitter or emitter surface, also referredto as a radiator) is a made of a metal sheet having a central planarregion, with one or more folded-down regions from which the feed andshorting posts/pins connect, as illustrated. This emitters describedherein may be referred to as patterned antenna radiating emitter (orsimply patterned emitters), because they may include repeated patternsof flaps (e.g., islands) and cut-out regions; these patterned regionsmay be radially repeated to form the overall pattern of the emitter. Thecut-out regions may be notches in the edge of the emitting surface, orinside the periphery of the emitting surface. In some variations thecut-out regions are on the folded-over regions continuous with the flatupper surface. The patterned emitter of the primary feed may be mountedabove a ground plane using dielectric spacers (not shown). In general,the patterned emitter may be formed from an electrically conductivematerial of the type conventionally found in antenna radiators, such asaluminum, copper and other malleable metals. The primary feed (includingthe emitter/radiator surface) may be stamped from a single piece ofelectrically conductive material.

FIG. 12C is a side perspective view of the antenna subassembly of FIGS.12A and 12B, showing the primary feed with a patterned antenna radiatingemitter 510 projecting slightly above the horn 513 from the base plateof the PCB.

Some, but not all, examples of the multi-beam primary feeds includingpatterned antenna radiating emitters may be generally shaped as anequilateral triangle (e.g., having a “trianguloid” shape). In somevariations an apex of each triangle is grounded and there are threeantenna feed points (antenna input feed points), each proximate to oneof the apices. One or more opening, hole, slot, etc. (e.g., in FIGS.11A-11C the opening is triangularly shaped) may be positioned within theprimary feed (e.g., emitter surface). The opening(s) may be centered onthe upper plane of the emitter surface or it may be offset. The primaryfeed may be shaped such that energy entering from each antenna inputfeed does not interfere with energy from other antenna input feeds. Thetopology of the antenna as well as slot shape and position may be chosenaccording to the desired performance characteristics.

FIGS. 13A-13C and 14A-14C illustrate alternative variations ofmulti-beam primary feeds having patterned antenna radiating emittersthat may be used; each of these examples, like the variation shown inFIGS. 11A-11C, is configured to emit three beams (e.g., n=3). In FIGS.13A-13C, the primary feed 610 includes a flat planar emitting surface,and three antenna input feeds 642, each connected to flap bent down fromthe upper emitting surface, and three shorting (ground) pins/posts 652.The primary feed also includes a small opening/slot 665 in the center ofthe upper emitting surface. FIGS. 13B and 13C show another sideperspective view and a top view, respectively, of the same primary feedwith an antenna radiating element. As shown in FIG. 13C, the antennainput feeds may be insulated or covered along at least part of theirlength by a surrounding sheath.

The exemplary primary feed having an antenna radiating element 710 inFIGS. 14A-14C, like FIGS. 13A-13C, is generally triangular in shape(trainguloid), but does not include a central opening/slot. The planaremitting surface is fed by three antenna input feeds 742 connected to abent-over flap region that is positioned adjacent to a shorting pin/post752 which connects to the upper planar emitting surface by a separateflap region.

The antenna primary feeds described herein may be used with one (orpreferably more) antenna reflectors to further guide the emission of thebeams a particular direction, as discussed above. For example, returningto FIGS. 8A and 8B, a multi-beam antenna system having a single primaryfeed with a single emitter may be configured so that it includes aprimary reflector 103 and a secondary reflector, as discussed above. Theprimary reflector and secondary reflectors may have different regionsthat are targeted by each of the different beams to/from the patternedantenna radiating emitter surface. For example, for each radiatingelement, there may be a corresponding “wedge” (e.g., radial region) ofthe primary reflector and a corresponding wedge (e.g., region) of thesecondary reflector that direct energy from each beam. In the example ofFIGS. 8A-8E, each wedge spans 120 approximately degrees. In embodimentin which the different beams may result in unequal wedge sizes (e.g.,when the wedge may have unequal arcs), alignment markings may beincluded on the reflectors to ensure that each antenna path is centrallypositioned within the respective wedge. This configuration mayeffectively allow multiple “beams” (as from multiple, offset antennas)to be handled by a single antenna. A primary feed with an emitter (suchas the ones shown in FIG. 11A, 13A or 14A) having multiple antenna inputfeed points, e.g. 3, may be positioned within a feed horn, as shown. Theemitter of the primary feed in these examples is a triangular-shapedshorted emitter with three antenna paths, however other variations mayinclude more than three independent antenna input feeds andcorresponding paths (e.g., four, five, six, seven, eight, or more feedsand a corresponding number of paths/beams).

When a driving frequency is applied to the primary feed's emittersurface, the emitter typically radiates electromagnetic waves. The shapeand size of the primary feed, as well as the driving frequency,typically determine the radiation distribution pattern. In the examplesshown, the horn (when present) is on-axis with the origins of theprimary and the secondary reflectors. The horn may have a slightlylarger diameter than that of the secondary reflector. The horn may havea subtended angle such that for each sector (corresponding to each ofthe beams), the antenna signal may be received and directed from thesecondary reflector to the primary reflector. The flare of the horn maybe optimized for each sector.

As mentioned above, this apparatus is not limited to tripole sectorantennas, but may include antenna assemblies that have a primary feedfed by more than three antenna input feeds (e.g. n feeds) capable ofdetecting/emitting n signals paths, where n≥2 (and particularly n≥3). Insome variations the apparatus may also include a primary reflector, asecondary reflector, and a collector (including a primary feed). In somevariations, the antenna may be referred to as a feed horn antenna. Theantenna may have a waveguide that interposes a horn and a radiatorconfigured to emit n independent beams in different (average)directions, each transmitting a signal. Although the electromagneticprofile on the primary feed with an emitting element may be complex, itmay be simplistically thought of as having n different emitting“regions” on the emitting surface that each emits a beam. Similarly, aprimary reflector (when used) may have n regions, each region directingelectric energy waves corresponding uniquely to one of the n signals,each region a portion of a parabolic surface. A secondary reflector mayhave n regions, each region directing electric energy wavescorresponding uniquely to one of the n signals toward its correspondingregion of the primary reflector, and each region may have a hyperbolic(e.g., convex) surface. The collector (primary feed) may absorb only aportion of the electric energy waves directed toward the secondaryreflector, the portion of the waves consists of only those waves whichmay otherwise reflect back to the feed horn antenna.

Any of the antenna systems described herein may also be configured tohave a single reflector. For example, in some variations a secondaryreflector is not included, but the primary feed of the antenna issuspended above the base of a primary reflector. For each antenna path,the energy may exit the antenna and reflects off the primary reflectorportion in a corresponding sector. In this variation, the feed hornantenna (including the primary feed) can also emit n signals, where n≥2.

The variations shown are not drawn to scale. In each variation, whenreferencing the origin of the polar coordinate system, the (average ornet) output of each antenna signal may be positioned along a unique ray.In some variations the rays are equally distributed and thecorresponding radii are the same length. In some variations, the raysare symmetric along the 0 and 180 rays or along the 90 and 270 degreerays. In some variations, the rays are not evenly distributed and thecorresponding radii have dissimilar lengths

In the systems shown in FIGS. 8A-8E above, an adjustable bracket isincluded. For example, an L-shaped bracket is shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B,and is positioned adjacent the rear housing. One end of the L-shapedbracket includes a housing hole that receives the threaded portion ofthe rear housing. In this variation, there are two diametrically opposedcurved slots proximate the housing hole, each receiving one of theradially positioned alignment posts. On opposing edges of the housinghole, there are two extended lips. The lips, when a quarter turn twistis applied, secure the bracket to the base of the partially threadedsupport. The opposite end of the bracket has an alignment slot and ananchor hole. There are alignment markings positioned near the alignmentslot indicating angles. In one variation, the detents and the radiallypositioned posts orient and secure the bracket with respect to the rearhousing. This example also includes a pole bracket having two holes thatare separated by a distance of at least the diameter of a pole. The polebracket further includes an alignment post. A U-bolt having two threadedends is shown positioned to fit into the holes of the bracket.

In operation, first, the L-shaped bracket may be attached to a pole (notshown) when the U-bolt is positioned through the pole bracket and thenthe bracket. The alignment post of the pole bracket moves within thealignment slot of the L-shaped bracket. The combination of the U-boltand the pole bracket is used to adjust the tension. After it is secure,the antenna assembly is attached when the rear housing is positionedinto the housing hole and a quarter turn is applied. The operator canpivot the antenna assembly about the thread closest to the alignmentslot.

A method of operating the antenna assembly may generally includetransmitting at least n directional antenna signals, where n≥2, from asingle emitting element of the antenna; the method may includetransmitting each of the n beams towards a reflector that has a uniquecorresponding region for each antenna signal. The reflector may receivereflected electric energy waves by the reflector. A collector may absorbonly a portion of the reflected electric energy waves, the portion ofthe waves consists of only those waves which may otherwise reflect backto the single substrate antenna array.

A method of operating the antenna assembly may also or alternativelyinclude transmitting at least n directional antenna signals, where n≥2,from a single emitter towards a secondary reflector that has a uniquecorresponding region for each antenna signal (beam). The n directionalantenna signals may be directed by a feed horn. The electric energywaves may from a secondary reflector that is directed towards primaryreflector that has a unique corresponding region for each antenna signal(beam). The primary reflector may receive reflected electric energywaves. The secondary reflector may receive reflected electric energywaves by the primary reflector and direct it to a collector. A collectormay absorb only a portion of the reflected electric energy waves, e.g.,the portion of the waves consisting of only those waves which mayotherwise reflect back to the single substrate antenna array. In any ofthese examples, the n directional antenna signals may be aligned withthe corresponding regions on the reflectors.

FIGS. 15A and 15B illustrate another variation of a wirelesstransmission stations having a multi-focal point antenna with a singleemitter adapted to emit three or more independent beams. In thisexample, the apparatus is configured as an access point from whichmultiple beams may be transmitted/received, allowing for a singleantenna that can operate as a MIMO device. The entire device may has arelatively small footprint (as shown in FIG. 15A), with an outerdome-like cover and a central region that may light up to indicate thestatus of the device (e.g., on/off, transmitting/receiving, error,etc.). The device may be mounted on an interior or exterior surface(e.g., ceiling, wall, etc.). An exploded view of this apparatus is shownin FIG. 15B.

In FIG. 15B, the outer cover (top cover) 802 is removed and thecomponent parts (or assemblies of parts) are shown in a partiallyexploded view. In this example, the indicator light (e.g., LED) includesa lightpipe 804 having a cover (LED cover 806). A washer or illuminationring may also be included. The lightpipe will be described in moredetail below. A bottom cover 808 may also be included, and may enclosethe emitter 810 and radio circuitry 812. In the variation shown in FIGS.15A-15B, which is configured as an access point, the antenna does notinclude a reflector. Instead, the emitter directly received and/ortransmits.

FIG. 16 is a top view of the interior of the wireless access point ofFIG. 15A with the enclosure and lightpipe cover removed, showing a topview of the interior of the device, looking down on the lightpipe whichis on top of the emitter. The emitter in this example also includes ahole through which the lightpipe passes. The circuitry is schematicallyillustrated in this example. The emitter is connected above the PCBincluding the circuitry. FIGS. 17A and 17B are cross-sectional viewsthrough the xz and xy axes, respectively, showing the relationshipbetween the emitter, lightpipe and radio circuitry. The emitter isconnected via three feeds (though, as discussed above, more than threefeeds may be used in some variation having an emitter configured to emitmore than three beams) connected to an overhanging region of the planaremitting surface. In these figures three ground (shorting) connectionsare also made to the planar surface of the emitter.

FIG. 18 is another top view of the interior of the wireless access pointsimilar to that shown in FIG. 16, but with the lightpipe removed,showing the planar emitting (top) surface of the emitter. A moredetailed view of the primary feed having a single emitter is shown inFIGS. 21A-21B. FIG. 21A is a front perspective view of a primary feedhaving an emitter (with another variation of a patterned antennaradiating emitter). In this example, the overall shape of the emitter isalso approximately triangular (trianguloid), with notched/cut-out regionalong the edges of the planar top emitting surface; in addition one ormore flaps or islands are folded down away from (and perpendicular to)the flat emitting top surface. The three antenna input feeds 1442 andshorting posts/pins 1452 are each connected to a folded-over flapregion; the feeds may be insulated. The antenna input feeds aretypically connect to a feed line and thus to the radio circuitry; theshorting posts/pins may be connected to a ground. The antenna input feedmay connect to a connector (e.g., RF signal input connector) to connectto a radio circuitry (e.g., a radio device). Each connector maycorrespond to one of the antenna input feeds. As discussed above, theantenna input feed lines may be isolated from each other and independentof each other, and arranged along with the shorting pins/posts so thatthree (in this example) independent beams are emitted in three distinctdirections.

Another variation of an emitter is shown in FIGS. 22A and 22B; theprimary feed with a single emitter in this example does not include anopening (slot) through the planar emitting surface as in the variationshown in FIGS. 21A-21B and 15A-15B. Instead, the planar emitting surfaceextends completely across the surface. Both feeds 1542 and shortingposts/pins 1552 are also included and arranged similarly to thearrangement shown in FIGS. 21A-21B.

Returning now to FIGS. 19A and 19B, these figures show sectional and topperspective views, respectively, of the inner assembly (lightpipe, radiocircuitry and primary feed) of an access point such as the one shown inFIGS. 15A-15B. In this example, the wireless access point systemconsists of a bottom enclosure, e.g. shallow dish shaped housing, havinga printed circuit board (PCB) contained within. The PCB contains radiocircuitry to provide wireless access functionality A primary feed with aradiator element having an opening (slot, aperture, etc.) may bedirectly connected to the PCB by grounding (shorting) pins or legs andat least one feed point, such that the element is suspended above theprinted circuit board (PCB). Within a portion of the opening, a lightemitting diode is electrically connected to the PCB, as shown in FIGS.17A and 17B. A cover mates to the top enclosure. In this example, a stemportion of a lightpipe 1216 encompasses the emission portion of an LEDand extends through the aperture and the hole of the cover. An O-ringinterposes the bottom rim of the lightpipe and the top enclosure. Thecover is comparable in size to the cross-sectional area of the lightpipeand covers the lightpipe. A cable for Ethernet access, electricallyconnected to the circuitry, may extend through the mated enclosures.

In some variations, a lightpipe is funnel-shaped, having a conical mouthand a stem. The mouth has a larger perimeter than the stem. The stemencompasses the LED. The rim of the mouth extends beyond the cover ofthe access point. The mouth may be shaped as a cone. In general, thelightpipe redirects the LED light output to the desired location withminimal loss of intensity. In some variations the lightpipe is made of apolycarbonate material. The example shown in FIGS. 15A-19B is a verticallightpipe, however, angled or planar lightpipes may also be used, orother light guides (including fiber optics) may be used.

The lightpipe shown in FIGS. 19A and 19B has a circular mouth. FIG. 19Ais a cross-sectional perspective view and FIG. 19B is a top view of thelightpipe. The mouth has a shallow profile and is dome shaped. Anothervariation is shown in FIGS. 20A and 20B. In FIGS. 20A and 20B thelightpipe has a square mouth. FIG. 20A is a cross-sectional perspectiveview. FIG. 20B is a top view of the lightpipe. The mouth has a shallowprofile and is shaped as a truncated square pyramid. In general, theaperture of the radiator element may be a polygon, e.g. a triangle,rectangle, pentagon, etc., and the aperture through the emitter may bean opening having a portion large enough to accept the stem of thelightpipe. The shape, diameter, or depth of the mouth, length ofdiameter of the stem may all vary, and the surface of the conical mouthof the lightpipe may be textured, etc. to effect light extraction fromthe LED. Further the top of the enclosure may be textured to effectlight extraction.

FIGS. 23A-23F illustrate another variation of an antenna assemblyincluding a single primary feed that is fed by n=4 antenna input feedsand capable of handling (transmitting, receiving) four radio frequency(RF) beams from the same primary feed. In the example shown, e.g., inFIG. 23A, the front of the antenna assembly is shown. In this example,the front of the antenna assembly includes a primary radome 2313 covingthe opening into the primary reflector 2303 which includes a parabolicinner surface (not visible in FIG. 23A or 23B). In FIG. 23B, theapparatus includes four connectors 2309 (antenna input connectors) thatare coupled to the four antenna input feeds connecting to the primaryfeed, as will be described below in reference to FIGS. 23E-G. Theseantenna input feeds may be connected to a radio device having two ormore antenna output lines. For example a radio device having a verticaland horizontal polarization outputs/inputs may be connected to theantenna device so that each of the four antenna inputs 2309 (antennapolarization RF signal inputs) is connected to either the verticalpolarization, a shifted (e.g., inverted, phase shifted, etc.) version ofthe vertical polarization output/input. In some variations pair ofoutputs may be the same, but may be inverted (e.g., +verticalpolarization/−vertical polarization, etc.).

FIGS. 23D and 23E illustrate the inside of the opening formed within theprimary reflector having a parabolic inner surface, after removing theouter (primary) radome covering the opening and an inner (secondary)radome that is shaped. In FIG. 23D, the sub-assembly including theprimary feed 2321 (in FIG. 23E) is covered by a cap or sub-radome 2318;in FIG. 23E this protective cap/sub-radome 2318 has been removed,showing the upper (radiator) surface of the primary feed 2321.

FIGS. 24A and 24B illustrate the antenna sub-assembly including theprimary feed 2321. In FIG. 24A, the sub-assembly includes the groundplate 2405 and a horn portion 2402 around the primary feed 2321. In FIG.24B the sub-assembly is shown without the horn, showing that the primaryfeed is connected via multiple projections 2409 to the ground, and thereare four (in FIG. 24B, only two are visible) antenna input feeds 2407that feed onto the emitter surface of the primary feed. The primary feedin this example is approximately square, having a plurality of cut-outregions that may help form the four separate beams corresponding to theseparate antenna input feeds (and therefore separate polarized RFsignals).

Returning now to FIG. 23F, a cross-section through the antenna assemblyof FIG. 23A is shown. In this example, the arrangement of the primaryreflector 2303, secondary reflector 2304 and primary feed 2321 is shown.A primary radome 2313 covers the opening into the primary reflector2303, and within the primary reflector is a secondary radome 2314 thatis shaped to lens RF signals transmitted through the secondary radome sothe phase front of the transmitted RF signals is uniform (orapproximately uniform). FIG. 23G is an exploded view of the apparatus ofFIG. 23A (without the optional separate primary radome) RF signals(e.g., having different polarizations) applied to each of the antennainput feeds 2407 may be transmitted as separate beams from the primaryfeed (e.g., the patterned antenna emitting surface), to be reflected offof the secondary reflector that is arranged immediately opposite fromthe patterned antenna emitting surface of the primary feed, and thenreflected off of the primary reflector for transmission out of theapparatus. This is illustrated in FIG. 25.

In FIG. 25, the two independent beams are schematically shown on across-section identical to the cross-section shown in FIG. 23F,illustrating transmission of two differently polarized beams from theapparatus 2504, 2505. As shown, a first RF signal may be applied (e.g.,by a radio circuitry) to a first antenna input feed (via a first antennainput connector 2501). This first RF signal may be transmitted via thefirst antenna input feed to the emitter surface of the primary feed,where it is emitted as a first beam 2504 from a first region of theemitting/radiating surface, as shown by the arrow extending from theright side of the primary feed. This first beam is reflected by theconvex secondary reflector opposite the primary feed, to the parabolicwall of the primary reflector, as shown by the arrows, and then emittedin a directional beam from the apparatus. A similar process may occurwith each beams formed by RF signals from each of the other antennainput feeds, such as the beam 2506 emitted in response to an applied RFsignal from a second antenna input connector 2503. In this example, theresulting beam for the RF signal emitted by the emitter/radiator surfaceof the primary feed is centered at a different portion of the emittersurface. Thus, the beam is reflected from a different region (sector) ofthe secondary reflector and primary reflector. Because of thearrangement of the inner (secondary) reflector, primary feed, and theprimary reflector, both beams (and indeed all of the beams emitted bythe primary feed exit the apparatus in approximately the same direction.Because of the shaped radome, the RF signals emitted may also have anapproximately uniform phase front when leaving the apparatus.

When a feature or element is herein referred to as being “on” anotherfeature or element, it can be directly on the other feature or elementor intervening features and/or elements may also be present. Incontrast, when a feature or element is referred to as being “directlyon” another feature or element, there are no intervening features orelements present. It will also be understood that, when a feature orelement is referred to as being “connected”, “attached” or “coupled” toanother feature or element, it can be directly connected, attached orcoupled to the other feature or element or intervening features orelements may be present. In contrast, when a feature or element isreferred to as being “directly connected”, “directly attached” or“directly coupled” to another feature or element, there are nointervening features or elements present. Although described or shownwith respect to one embodiment, the features and elements so describedor shown can apply to other embodiments. It will also be appreciated bythose of skill in the art that references to a structure or feature thatis disposed “adjacent” another feature may have portions that overlap orunderlie the adjacent feature.

Terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularembodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention.For example, as used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” areintended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearlyindicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms“comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification,specify the presence of stated features, steps, operations, elements,and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of oneor more other features, steps, operations, elements, components, and/orgroups thereof. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and allcombinations of one or more of the associated listed items and may beabbreviated as “/”.

Spatially relative terms, such as “under”, “below”, “lower”, “over”,“upper” and the like, may be used herein for ease of description todescribe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) orfeature(s) as illustrated in the figures. It will be understood that thespatially relative terms are intended to encompass differentorientations of the device in use or operation in addition to theorientation depicted in the figures. For example, if a device in thefigures is inverted, elements described as “under” or “beneath” otherelements or features would then be oriented “over” the other elements orfeatures. Thus, the exemplary term “under” can encompass both anorientation of over and under. The device may be otherwise oriented(rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relativedescriptors used herein interpreted accordingly. Similarly, the terms“upwardly”, “downwardly”, “vertical”, “horizontal” and the like are usedherein for the purpose of explanation only unless specifically indicatedotherwise.

Although the terms “first” and “second” may be used herein to describevarious features/elements (including steps), these features/elementsshould not be limited by these terms, unless the context indicatesotherwise. These terms may be used to distinguish one feature/elementfrom another feature/element. Thus, a first feature/element discussedbelow could be termed a second feature/element, and similarly, a secondfeature/element discussed below could be termed a first feature/elementwithout departing from the teachings of the present invention.

As used herein in the specification and claims, including as used in theexamples and unless otherwise expressly specified, all numbers may beread as if prefaced by the word “about” or “approximately,” even if theterm does not expressly appear. The phrase “about” or “approximately”may be used when describing magnitude and/or position to indicate thatthe value and/or position described is within a reasonable expectedrange of values and/or positions. For example, a numeric value may havea value that is +/−0.1% of the stated value (or range of values), +/−1%of the stated value (or range of values), +/−2% of the stated value (orrange of values), +/−5% of the stated value (or range of values), +/−10%of the stated value (or range of values), etc. Any numerical rangerecited herein is intended to include all sub-ranges subsumed therein.

Although various illustrative embodiments are described above, any of anumber of changes may be made to various embodiments without departingfrom the scope of the invention as described by the claims. For example,the order in which various described method steps are performed mayoften be changed in alternative embodiments, and in other alternativeembodiments one or more method steps may be skipped altogether. Optionalfeatures of various device and system embodiments may be included insome embodiments and not in others. Therefore, the foregoing descriptionis provided primarily for exemplary purposes and should not beinterpreted to limit the scope of the invention as it is set forth inthe claims.

The examples and illustrations included herein show, by way ofillustration and not of limitation, specific embodiments in which thesubject matter may be practiced. As mentioned, other embodiments may beutilized and derived there from, such that structural and logicalsubstitutions and changes may be made without departing from the scopeof this disclosure. Such embodiments of the inventive subject matter maybe referred to herein individually or collectively by the term“invention” merely for convenience and without intending to voluntarilylimit the scope of this application to any single invention or inventiveconcept, if more than one is, in fact, disclosed. Thus, althoughspecific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, anyarrangement calculated to achieve the same purpose may be substitutedfor the specific embodiments shown. This disclosure is intended to coverany and all adaptations or variations of various embodiments.Combinations of the above embodiments, and other embodiments notspecifically described herein, will be apparent to those of skill in theart upon reviewing the above description.

What is claimed is:
 1. A multi-focal-point antenna device having asingle emitter adapted to emit three or more independent beams, thedevice comprising: a primary feed comprising a patterned antennaradiating emitter, wherein the patterned antenna radiating emittercomprises a sheet of metal having a plurality of cut-out regions alongone or more edges of the patterned antenna radiating emitter; n antennainput feeds, where n is 3 or more, separately extending to the patternedantenna radiating emitter of the primary feed, wherein each of the nantenna input feeds are independent and electrically isolated from eachother; and a radio circuitry coupled to each of the n antenna inputfeeds, wherein the radio circuitry is configured to transmit radiofrequency (RF) signals to each of the n antenna input feeds transmits ata different polarization, wherein the patterned antenna radiatingemitter emits n beams from the primary feed in which each of the n beamsis differently polarized, and wherein the beams do not couple with eachother.
 2. The device of claim 1, further comprising a primary reflectorhaving n wedge-shaped surface regions, each of the n surface regionsreflecting one or the n emitted beams.
 3. The device of claim 2, furthercomprising a secondary reflector having n wedge-shaped surface regions,each of the n surface regions reflecting one of the n emitted beams toone of the n surface regions of the primary reflector.
 4. The device ofclaim 1, wherein n is 3, and wherein each of the emitted beams is 120degrees off from each other.
 5. The device of claim 1, wherein thepatterned antenna radiating emitter has a generally triangular shape. 6.The device of claim 1, wherein the patterned antenna radiating emitteris flat.
 7. The device of claim 1, wherein the patterned antennaradiating emitter comprises a flat central surface with one or moreedges folded down away from a central plane of the patterned antennaradiating emitter.
 8. The device of claim 1, wherein the n antenna inputfeeds are directly coupled to n edge regions of the patterned antennaradiating emitter.
 9. The device of claim 1, wherein the patternedantenna radiating emitter comprises a single sheet of metal.
 10. Thedevice of claim 1, wherein the patterned antenna radiating emitter issized to operate in both a 5 GHz and a 2 GHz regime.
 11. The device ofclaim 1, wherein the patterned antenna radiating emitter comprises anemitting surface having an average diameter of between about 5 cm and 12cm.
 12. The device of claim 1, wherein the radio circuitry is configuredto transmit radio frequency (RF) signals so that each of the n antennainput feeds transmits at a different polarization, spectral signaland/or delay.
 13. The device of claim 1, wherein the cut-out regions ofthe patterned antenna radiating emitter are configured to form the nbeams, wherein each beam corresponds to one of the antenna input feeds.14. A multi-focal-point antenna device having a single emitter adaptedto emit three or more independent beams for use as a multiple input,multiple output (MIMO) antenna, the device comprising: a base plate; aprimary feed comprising a patterned antenna radiating emitter positionedabove the base plate, wherein the patterned antenna radiating emittercomprises a single sheet of metal having a plurality of cut-out regionsalong one or more outer edges of the patterned antenna radiatingemitter; n antenna input feeds, where n is 3 or more, extending throughthe base plate to the patterned antenna radiating emitter of the primaryfeed, wherein each of the n antenna input feeds are independent andelectrically isolated from each other; and a radio circuitry coupled toeach of the n antenna input feeds, wherein the radio circuitry isconfigured to transmit radio frequency (RF) signals so that each of then antenna input feeds transmits at a different polarization, spectralsignal and/or delay, wherein the patterned antenna radiating emitteremits n independent and uncoupled beams.
 15. The device of claim 14,further comprising a primary reflector having n wedge-shaped surfaceregions, each of the n surface regions reflecting one or the n emittedbeams.
 16. The device of claim 15, further comprising a secondaryreflector having n wedge-shaped surface regions, each of the n surfaceregions reflecting one of the n emitted beams to one of the n surfaceregions of the primary reflector.
 17. The device of claim 14, whereinthe patterned antenna radiating emitter comprises an emitting surfacehaving an average diameter of between about 5 cm and 12 cm.
 18. Anantenna device having a single primary feed adapted to emit threeindependent beams, the device comprising: a primary feed comprising apatterned antenna radiating emitter, wherein the patterned antennaradiating emitter comprises a sheet of metal having a plurality ofcut-out regions along one or more outer edges; three antenna input feedseach separately extending to the patterned antenna radiating emitter,wherein each of the three antenna input feeds are independent andelectrically isolated from each other; and a radio circuitry coupled toeach of the three antenna input feeds, wherein the radio circuitry isconfigured to transmit radio frequency (RF) signals so that each of thethree antenna input feeds transmits at a different polarization, whereinthe patterned antenna radiating emitter emits three independent anduncoupled beams.
 19. The device of claim 18, wherein the three antennainput feeds are directly coupled to three edge regions of the patternedantenna radiating emitter.
 20. The device of claim 18, wherein the radiocircuitry is configured to transmit radio frequency (RF) signals so thateach of the three antenna input feeds transmits at a differentpolarization, spectral signal and/or delay.